Doctors request suo motu action from CJI following Ahmedabad tragedy; seek Rs 50 lakh interim relief, high-level inquiry
Doctors request suo motu action from CJI following Ahmedabad tragedy; seek Rs 50 lakh interim relief, high-level inquiry
In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, two doctors have written to the Chief Justice of India, urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident. The letter calls for urgent intervention to ensure compensation, accountability, and systemic reforms in aviation safety.
Key Demands in the Letter
The letter appeals to the apex court to:
- Direct the Central Government to immediately disburse Rs 50 lakh as interim compensation to all victims, including the passengers and the resident doctor at BJMC Medical College, where the aircraft reportedly crashed.
- Set up a High-Level Expert Committee, comprising retired judges of the Supreme Court/High Courts, aviation experts, actuaries, and economists, to assess and finalize compensation in accordance with past judicial rulings, notably Triveni Kodkany vs Air India Ltd.
- Mandate Air India Limited to settle compensation claims swiftly and without forcing families into prolonged litigation.
- Ensure the Centre provides rehabilitation assistance, including employment for eligible family members of the deceased.
Concerns Raised
The petitioners stressed that while Air India bears primary liability, the scale of the disaster necessitates urgent government involvement. They pointed out that compensation under the Montreal Convention, 1999 around USD 200,000 per passenger, may not adequately reflect the emotional, economic, and human loss in this particular crash.
They also called for:
- A detailed, independent investigation into the causes of the crash.
- Institutional reforms and safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
The tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 has shocked the nation, with early reports suggesting casualties including a resident doctor from BJ Medical College, highlighting the profound impact on both passengers and civilians.
As authorities continue to piece together the cause of the crash, the call for judicial oversight seeks to ensure that justice, transparency, and timely support are not lost in bureaucratic delays.
If the Supreme Court accepts the plea, it could set a precedent for proactive judicial intervention in aviation disasters, balancing legal liability with humanitarian urgency.
